Jean Gordon - Reuniting His Family

“Claire, you can socialize later,” an older man said. “The game’s starting.”

“Dad, it’s a kids’ game, not the World Cup.”

“But your bobbing back and forth is distracting,” Mr. Delacroix said. “I want to be able to see Robbie.”

Claire shook her head and sat back on the bleacher.

Rhys had no intention of socializing with Claire, but he did want to talk privately with Renee about the job and working out of town the next three weeks. It would save him a phone call to CPS on Monday. He’d have to catch her after the game.

He turned his attention to the field. The game was more a comedy of errors than a competition, and he enjoyed every minute of it, cheering Dylan and his team on, along with the Hills and Renee’s family behind them. A fleeting thought of Gwen, the only woman he’d ever loved, and what she was missing—what he’d missed—made his joy bittersweet.

Dylan raced over after the game ended. “Suzi, did you see? I kicked the ball three times.”

Rhys swallowed his disappointment that his son went to Suzi and not him. He knew he was expecting too much too soon. “That last kick was almost a goal.”

“I know.” Dylan beamed at him, lifting his spirits. The boy turned to Jack. “Can we get ice cream on the way home?”

“Sure thing,” Jack said. “Your dad can meet us at the ice-cream stand.”

Two steps forward. One step back. “I wouldn’t miss it. I need to talk with Ms. Delacroix and then I’ll be right there.”

Dylan nodded and Rhys watched him walk away with the Hills, nearly missing Renee leaving with Claire. He jogged the few steps to catch up with them.

“Renee, I need to talk with you, if you have a minute.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “I’ll be at the car.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “About Owen and Dylan.”

“I don’t...all right,” Renee answered.

“Can we sit?” Rhys asked.

She nodded and he led them back to the bleachers they’d just left. He waited until she’d settled on the front bench before sitting.

“I have a job with Hazard Solar starting Monday.”

“Congratulations.”

Rhys searched her face for an indication that the job was good news for his custody case. “I know. I could have called the office about that on Monday, but there’s more. I’ll be working in Watertown during the week. I’m going to talk with Jack and Suzi about weekend visitation. I’m meeting with them at the soft-serve ice-cream stand. They can coordinate with you.”

She shook her head. “Didn’t your caseworker contact you? My internship with CPS ended yesterday.”

His heart sank. He was going to have to start all over with someone else at CPS? Just when he and Renee finally had a working relationship going. While he couldn’t say Renee appeared crazy about working with him, she seemed to have been a lot more invested in his boys’ welfare than the caseworker. “So I have to contact Ms. Bulmer?”

“I’m afraid so. They don’t have another intern lined up yet.”

Rhys had hoped to have Owen and Dylan back before CPS shuffled them off from the caseworker to yet another person. He rubbed his palms against his jeans. “How does this go? I call Ms. Bulmer and let her know about the job? Then what?”

Renee turned her body to face him fully. Her gaze softened. “You’ll need to provide documentation about the job, and Ms. Bulmer will have to approve any new visitation schedule you and Suzi work out. Be patient with her. All the caseworkers have heavy loads.”

Patience wasn’t one of his strong points. “But someone will get back to me about visitation?”

“Yes, probably Suzi. Anything else?”

“No.” He didn’t want to end the conversation. He could ask her what she was doing now that her internship was done. Maybe get that read he wanted on how his job would affect his custody application.

“Okay then, I’m going to get going. Claire’s waiting.” Renee stood.

The moment was gone. “Right, sure. Thanks for the information.”

After Renee left, he rested his elbows on his knees, head in hands. Again, what had he expected? That she’d be excited for him? He felt good about the job and the opportunity it offered him and his boys. That’s all that mattered. He was a CPS client, her former CPS client, and that was all.

Rhys ignored the hollow feeling in his stomach. Once he had Owen and Dylan back, between caring for them and working, he wouldn’t have much time for friendship—with her or anyone else.

Chapter Four

Rhys dropped the wire crimpers into his toolbox and rubbed the back of his neck. He shouldn’t feel like he was pulling a fast one, leaving the job in Ticonderoga early. Neal had okayed his working a short day on Thursdays so he could volunteer at the weekly Bridges meetings for the kids at church. The only stipulation was that he make up the time. Working late was no problem while the kids were living with the Hills. He’d worked ten-and eleven-hour days the three weeks in Watertown. And once he had custody, he could rethink the Bridges commitment. No one had said it had to be for life.

A couple of the guys eyed him when he picked up his toolbox. He gripped the handle. The supervisor knew about the arrangement. Rhys hadn’t seen any reason to broadcast it.

“See you tomorrow,” his supervisor called down from the roof where they were installing solar panels.

Rhys raised his hand over his head. The others waved back without any signs of begrudging his early departure. He should loosen up, he thought as he cranked the old pickup to life. Having some friends besides Pastor Connor could help when his custody request came before Family Court. He needed all the help he could muster.

A virtual finger poked him in the chest.

I know. I need to get up to speed at trusting You. Give me time. I’ve trusted only myself for too long.

Going back to the Thursday Bible study group wouldn’t hurt, either. Rhys hadn’t been there since the group had celebrated Renee’s birthday. For the spiritual support, he could tolerate the social aspects he was less fond of.

While he waited to turn onto US Route 74, he checked the dashboard clock. He’d have just enough time to get home to shower and change before he was supposed to meet Pastor Connor and the Bridges program director at the church office. He’d missed the volunteer training meeting when he’d been in Watertown, and today was the first meeting of the new group. Rhys had read the literature Pastor Connor had emailed him and was still uncertain about the group’s value, but it would give him another hour a week with Owen and Dylan.

A short way up the road, a dark-haired woman in a subcompact car cut a turn from a side road a little too close in front of him. He pumped the brakes, gritting his teeth against the word that leaped to his tongue and the picture of another dark-haired woman that popped into his head.

The woman in the car wasn’t Renee, but the Social Services’ worker had been in his thoughts far too often since their talk after the game on Saturday. With her background, Renee could be a good asset at a custody hearing. He grimaced. Except that the jury was still out on whether Renee was a friend or foe.

* * *

Rhys had made short work of cleaning up and arrived at the church a couple minutes early.

“Come in. Sit down,” Pastor Connor said when Rhys peered around the half-open office door. “Did you have time to look over what I sent?” he asked once Rhys was seated.

“I did.”

“What do you think?”

Rhys stretched his legs under the table, drew them back and planted the soles of his boots flat on the floor. “Can I be honest?”

“By all means.” The corners of Connor’s mouth quirked up.